Chapter 455: If One Kick Doesn't Work, Just Kick More!
he old master has gone to the backyard to greet his wife only a handful of times, and every time he does so, it's to ask his wife for private funds to squander.Now when people say "filial piety," they...The visitor was a man in his forties, tall and handsome, wearing the official robes of a third-rank officer.
Although this person has a smiling face and seems very easygoing, it makes people instinctively not dare to underestimate or neglect him.
Li Laoer vaguely felt that this person looked familiar, but he really didn't recognize him. Looking at Mr. Wen and Liu Zhiheng, although they were both smiling, there was a hint of caution in their expressions.
Li Lao'er's mind flashed, and he finally woke up completely. This person was probably Wang Jia's eldest son who worked as an official outside, Wang Zechen.
As expected, the man stepped forward with a smile and bowed, "Imperial censor, Master Liu, it's early after court today, and returning home is rather dull. I was hoping to find Lord Zhongshan for a cup of tea. Would the two of you be willing to accommodate me"
Mr. Wen furrowed his brows, but Liu Zhiheng smiled even more amiably and said, "Oh, it's Wang Zechen, Lord Wang! It's been years."
"What Master Wang is saying, while we are good friends with Old Li, we can't make decisions for him. If others heard Master Wang's words, they might think that we treat Old Li like our servant and control him every day."
Wang Zechen raised an eyebrow, clasped his hands together and apologized: "It was my careless speech. Liu Da Ren, please don't take offense. I've been abroad for many years and suddenly returned to Kyoto, still a little unaccustomed."
He had put himself in such a low position, with so many people watching around him. Even if Liu Zhiheng still wanted to stop him, there was no good reason.
Li Lao'er took two steps forward and smiled, saying, "Lord Wen, Lord Liu, I happened to be thirsty. It would be nice to have a cup of tea with Lord Wang. The two of you should go busy yourselves in the yamen first. As a nobody like me, I don't have much to do. As long as Lord Wang isn't afraid of wasting his time, I can keep him company."
Liu Zhiheng and Mr. Wen looked at each other, although they were still a little uneasy, they could only nod.
Mr. Wen said, "Well, didn't Xian Kelei just launch a new dish Let's go have lunch there"
"Alright, I guess I'll be back early. Wait for me." Li Lao Er replied, and Mr. Wen and Liu Zhiheng then left.
Li Lao'er smiled and walked with Wang Zechen.
Li Laoer didn't feel any nervousness or restraint. He casually asked, "When will the master return I heard you've been traveling outside"
Wang Zechen laughed and said, "Indeed, I've been exiled for seven or eight years. Before the year, I received a letter from home saying my father was ill, and my incompetent younger brother had gone mad. I was worried, so I hastily petitioned the Emperor to be transferred back."
"The emperor's grace is boundless," Li Laoer turned back and bowed to the palace, "Your Majesty is most merciful and understanding towards his subjects. Unlike us common folk, our minds are small, and we can't get over anything…"
The two chatted and laughed as they walked, making anyone watching think they were old friends.
But who knows, every word they utter is a sharp retort, wishing to stab the other with ten gaping wounds!
She rode out of the palace gates in a Wang family carriage.
Wang Zechen saw Li Lao'er examining the interior of the carriage with great enthusiasm, and in his heart, he raised his opinion of this uncle who came from a peasant background by three points.
"Master Li, you're getting into my carriage. Aren't you afraid I might do you harm"
"Unfavorable" Li Lao Er was very surprised and smiled, "How is that possible I don't think Wang Da Ren has any reason to be unfavorable to me! In fact, I'm even waiting for Wang Da Ren to apologize to me! After all, a smart person like Wang Da Ren wouldn't be unaware of the conflict between our two families before...
"At the very least, you should apologize to your father and brother for what happened to my elder brother, Wang Qiusheng, who was taken back as a son-in-law by your Wang family."
Li Laer's words were blunt, and his face turned cold as he said, "Wang Sanye deals in commerce and lacks education. It's understandable that he can be arrogant. As for Wang Lao Ye, he is old and senile, so it's excusable that he is a little muddled."
"But Lord Wang is a high-ranking official of the third rank. He governs as a father to his people. If he fails to discern right from wrong, then there would be no need for us to drink tea today."
Wang Zecheng fell silent for a moment, then finally laughed. "Elder Li, you flatter me. Wang is just making a joke."
Li Laer raised an eyebrow and didn't respond. The eldest son of the Wang family was quite cunning. He had just made his move first, but it was like stabbing at cotton; there was no effect whatsoever...
Soon, the carriage arrived at the front of a teahouse. Both men were wearing official robes. As soon as they got out of the carriage, the shopkeeper warmly greeted them and led them upstairs to the best private room.
Li Lao'er frowned slightly, which piqued Wang Zechen's curiosity. He asked, "Elder Li, do you find this teahouse unsuitable Then we could try a different one"
Li Laer shook his head and asked, "Wang Dairen, do you know how much it costs to open this private room It includes tea, snacks, and all. How many taels of silver does it require"
Wang Zechen thought he couldn't afford it and replied, "Ten taels or eight taels will do. Sir, feel free to order whatever tea and snacks you like. Today, I treat."
Li Lao'er waved his hand. "Wang Dairen, do you know how much a jin of glutinous rice costs in Xindu now A full fifty wen! This is the highest price in nearly twenty years, and we drink two hundred jins of glutinous rice for every cup of tea!"
"This two hundred catties of glutinous rice, mixed with coarse grains and wild vegetables, is enough to sustain a family of five for half a year. Lord Wang comes from a wealthy background, so he probably doesn't think much of it. But our family is just an ordinary farming family. Even though my mother is now a first-rank imperial order, she still has to weed the vegetable garden."
Wang Zechen listened unhappily, his face finally growing cold. "Li Bor is saying that I was wrong to invite you for tea today"
Li Lao shook his head, not budging an inch. "Right or wrong, I don't know, but I just feel like I can't take it. The Wang family has this money, why not build a soup kitchen and do good deeds It's really unnecessary to waste it on me. After all, our families' issues can't be resolved with just a cup of tea."
“Is Old Master Li determined to become an enemy of our Wang family” Wang Zechen straightened his back, his expression carrying a hint of arrogance. “I’m not being arrogant, ten Li families might not even be a match for our Wang family. Our Wang family has accumulated power for a hundred years, we absolutely wouldn't fear a bunch of peasants!”
Li La Er sneered and replied, "What's there to be afraid of We can't say that. But, you said our Li family are peasants That's right, we really are peasants. But there's nothing wrong with being from peasant stock."
"Lord Wang came back from Sichuan Province, so he should know about the kind of bamboo there! It grows in mountainous areas, silently rooted for four years. When spring arrives in its fifth year, it starts growing crazily every moment, maybe reaching the clouds within a few days."
“Our Li family is just like this bamboo, isn't it You are now afraid of our Li family growing taller so quickly, that’s why you are so politely asking me to drink tea, right Otherwise, with your Wang family’s methods, you could crush us with one foot. You definitely wouldn't waste this free time!”
Li Laoer's eyes glittered with malice, he tapped the table and continued with a mocking smile, “Your Wang family has accumulated wealth for centuries, just like that towering building, indeed impressive. But who has seen the rotten foundation of that high-rise Building it was arduous, but to bring it down, perhaps only an outsider's kick is needed!”
Of course, it might not fall with one kick, but that's fine. There are many children and grandchildren in our Li family! One person per foot, we guarantee it will be satisfied, shattered to pieces! he rushed straight to the Jia family.Jia Xu also heard the rumors, and was so enraged that he smashed his beloved inkstone.At this moment, having received a distress call, he immediately took a jug o...